USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 37
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eeived favorable comment from many persons in- terested in promoting the best welfare of our edu- cational system. The same enterprise and resolute spirit which secured for him Ins education have made Mr. Butler's life a success and won for him the high position which he to-day occupies among teachers.
C N. WALLS, editor of the Democrat, is a na- tive of Edgar County, Ill., and first saw the light at Paris December 3, 1852. Ile attended the publie schools of that eity until he was nine years old, when his father, Elza Walls, having died, he removed with his mother, (who re-married two years afterward) to a farm. The war coming on unsettled the country school, and for the next eight years he had little or no opportunity for education. Happening to see in a copy of a local newspaper that a boy was wanted to learn the printing trade, he applied for the po- sition, was accepted, and in two years became fore- man. Having employed all his time between 7 P. M. and midnight in study, a year later he was advanced to the position of associate editor, which he threw up to enter college at Chicago. Winle a student, he dashed off a few lines of jingle, which he sent to the Terre Haute ( Ind.) Gazette, and which attracted the attention of the editor, O. J. Smith, who offered him a place on the editorial staff of the Saturday Evening Mail, which he contemplated establishing. lle remained with the Mail for nine months, when he took editorial charge of the Mo- ravia (Iowa) Tedette. 1Ie left Moravia to estab- lish the Democrat at Princeton, Mo., but in a few months returned to Moravia and started the Mess- enger.
Mr. Walls married Miss Mary MeDivitt, of Ed- gar County, Ill., and bought the Indianian, the Democratic organ of Hendricks County, and re- moved to Danville, Ind., in June, 1872. He re- mained at Danville for five years, and was Chair-
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man of the Democratie Central Committee during all of that time. In 1879 he removed to Decatur, 111., and established the Decatur Saturday Herald, now the Herald Despatch. His health failing, he sold the Herald and did a little reportorial work on the Republican, at Paris, 111. In 1881 he bought the Macon (111.) Independent, and a year later es- tablished the Assumption Enterprise. He ran both papers for two years, and then bought the Monti- cello (111.) Bulletin, making Monticello his head- quarters. Not content with having three papers on his hands, he entered the Railway Mail Service as Postal Clerk on the Champaign & Havana Line. He passed a final examination at the end of three months, in half the time required, leased the Ma- con and Assumption papers, and remamed in the service for nearly two and a-half years, when he sold the two smaller papers and bought the Tay- lorville Democrat and removed to Taylorville March 31, 1888. In May he resigned as Postal Clerk, and in October following he sold the Mon- ticello Bulletin. Ilaving only one paper to run, he turned his attention partially to invention, and had obtained ten patents up to the date of the is- sne of this work. He was Secretary of the Demo- cratic Central Committee of Christian County for more than four years, and since January, 1893. has been Chairman. Such, in brief, is the record of a busy life, and a gratifying triumph over many difficulties.
b ENRY A. PEABODY, a successful and en_ terprising merchant of Taylorville, now carries on business as a dealer in groceries, glass and queensware and pocket and table cutlery. He has carried on business along this line since 1878, and has succeeded in securing a good trade, which is constantly increasing. It is his desire to please his custo mers, and, carrying a stock of goods such as the publie demands, he has met with success.
Mr. Peabody is a native of the county which is
still his home, his birth having occurred on the 27th of September, 1818. ITis father, Amos Pea- body, was born in Connecticut, and the grand- father, Samuel Peabody, was also a native of the same State. The latter left the East and, joining the Stonington colony, came with Ins family to Illinois in 1837. Ile was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout his whole life. Ile died in this county, being drowned in Flat Branch when more than seventy years of age. Amos Peabody for many years followed farming in Christian County. Ile married Wil- helmina Fredericka Stetcher, a native of Germany, who when a young lady crossed the Atlantic with her parents, the family settling in Christian. County. Iler father died in Springfield at an ad- vanced age, and her mother reached the age of eighty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peabody were born three children, but two died in infancy. The mother died in 1850, after which Mr. Pea- body was again married. By the second union four children were born. Orrin, Samuel, and two who died in infancy. The father of our subject is now eighty years of age. With his wife he is still living in Taylorville, one of its respected citizens.
Ilemy A., whose name heads this record, was reared in the county of his nativity, and began his education in the district schools, but his primary course was afterwards supplemented by study in the Ihigh School of Decatur and in the Commercial College at Springfield, so that lie was well fitted to enter upon the practical duties of life. On the 5th of October, 1880, he was joined in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Jones, of Sang- amon County, a daughter of Moses A. and Nancy (Armstrong) Jones. Their marriage has been blessed with one child, a son, Frederick A.
Mr. Peabody takes considerable interest in civic societies and belongs to Mystic Lodge No. 64, K. P., and Birchfield Camp No. 130. M. W. A. Ile is a charter member of both societies, and has been Clerk of the Camp since its organization. In politics, he is independent, preferring to support the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party affiliations. In 1893, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
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was called to her final rest in March, at the age of forty-two years. She was a lady of many excel- lencies of character, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances mourned her loss.
Mr. Peabody continued to follow farming with good success until 1875, when he determined to make his home in the city. However, he still owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land in Prairieton Township, which yields him a good income. Ile also has a pleasant residence in Taylorville besides his store. His property has all been accumulated by his own in- dustry and economy, and is the reward which crowns his well-directed efforts.
OHN W. PRICE, of the firm of Price & Wil- kinson. proprietors of the Ruth Mills, of Taylorville, has been engaged in his present line of business since 1867, and the present partnership has continued since 1869. A native of Ohio, he was born in Leesville, Carroll County, October 12, 1829, and is a son of James Price, who was also born in Ohio, and is still living in Carroll County, at the advanced age of ninety- four.
Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, and served a fonr-years apprentiecship to the carpenter's trade. In 1856, he bade good-bye to friends and home and came to the West, believing that he could better his financial condition thereby. lIe started for Kansas, but the slavery troubles were then agitat- ing that community, and he made a location in Christian County, where he has since resided. Ile was first employed on the court house, and then worked as a journeyman for two years, when he began contracting . in his own interest. The first work upon which he was engaged was the erection of the old Forest Mills, which were burned about 1870. He then built the residence of W. A. Goodrich and Judge W. S. Moore, erect- ing the latter in 1860, on the site of the present
High School. Mr. Price continued contracting and building until he built his mill, since which time he has devoted his energies to milling and to the grain business.
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On the 18th of February, 1862, Mr. Price mar- ried Miss Hattie Cowgill, who was born in the Buckeye State. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and are pleasant, genial peo- ple, who in their intercourse with the residents of the community have gained many warm friends who esteem them highly. In early life, Mr. Price was a supporter of the Whig party, but on the or- ganization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, voting for Fremont in 1856, and has since fought under its banner. He has efficiently served as Township Trustee, and in other ways has been connected with public affairs, especially in aiding and encouraging any enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. Ile is a strong friend to temperance and has always opposed license. In 1855, he was made a Mason in Urichsville, Ohio, and has been an active member of the fraternity, being now Worthy Master of Mound Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M. His wife holds membership with the Order of the Eastern Star. They have an attractive home, situated on the principal street of Taylorville, and it is always open for the recep- tion of their many friends.
Mr. Price has made some investments in real estate, and now owns two residences in the city, but gives his principal attention to the milling business. The Ruth Mill was built by Moore, Price & Co. in 1867, at a cost of $27,000. After a year Judge W. S. Moore, the senior partner, who is now living in Morrisonville, Ill., retired, leaving Mr. Price and Mr. Wilkinson as proprie- tors, and their connection has continued, under the name of Price & Wilkinson, from the year 1869 up to the present time. The mill stands near the Olno & Mississippi Railroad. An addition was made in 1883, and the roller process was intro- duced. It has a capacity of two hundred barrels daily. They also handle grain at other places. They have a mill and do business at Farmingdale, and have an elevator at Morrisonville, but it is rented. They have made extensive shipments of their flour, which has been sent into the Carolinas,
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Florida and Georgia, and even to Minneapolis. which is considered to be the centre of flour manu- factories. Mr. Price is a man of excellent busi- ness ability, and by close attention to his business, together with perseverance and enterprise, he has succeeded in establishing a fine trade and acquir- ing a handsome competence. Thirty-seven years have passed since he came to the county, during which time he has not only witnessed its growth and upbuilding but has aided materially in its welfare and progress. He well deserves mention in this volume among the honored early settlers and men of prominence.
ACOB YOCKEY, a retired farmer now resid- ing in Taylorville, has made his home in Christian County for almost thirty years. As he is both widely and favorably known, we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and therefore gladly give this sketch a place in the history of his adopted county. The place of his birth was near Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pa., the date being November 17, 1835. llis pa- rents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Snyder) Yockey, were also natives of the Keystone State, and the father was a farmer by occupation. With their family they emigrated to Ohio about 1852, and there the parents spent their remaining days.
Mr. Yockey comes of a very old Pennsylvania family, his great-grandfather having been born in Lancaster County, that State, as was also his grandfather, Jolin Yockey, who removed to Frank- lin County, where his son Joseph, the father of our subject, was born. His great-grandfather on the maternal side, Conrad Snyder, was born in Prussia, and emigrated to this country when a young man, settling in Pennsylvania. Jolin Sny- der, son of Conrad, was born in Franklin County. He served as a Colonel in the War of 1812 and was a prominent man in his time.
Mr. Yockey of this sketch was a young man of seventeen years at the time of the removal. At the age of twenty he left home and went to Akron. Ohio, where he secured a clerkship in a drug and grocery store, receiving about 8300 per year for his services. Later he suffered from a lingering illness, and in order to benefit his health removed to Columbus, Ind., in 1857. He then engaged in teaching school in Bartholomew County until the fall of 1864, and proved an able and successful instructor.
On the 11th of August, 1864, Mr. Yockey was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Martin, their union being celebrated in Indianapolis, Ind. The same year they came to Christian County, where they have since resided. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, as follows: Dr. William M., who was graduated from the Nor- mal School of Valparaiso, Ind., and was graduated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in 1891, has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in Joplin, Mo .; Jacob Arthur is now a student in the Valparaiso Normal School; Sarah Louise, Charlotte Emma, Jane Miriam and Ella May are the younger members of the family.
On coming to Christian County. Mr. Yockey located in Mt. Auburn Township, about twelve miles north of Taylorville, and resided just east of Grove City for nineteen years. Subsequently he purchased a farm two miles southwest of Mt. Auburn, comprising two hundred and eighty-two acres of arable and valuable land, upon which he resided until the 1st of January. 1893. This is one of the best farms and most desirable places in the county, being complete in all its appointments and supplied with all modern conveniences. The fields are well tilled and the improvements stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. llis property has increased in value from 844 to $80 per acre. When he came to the county he had only about $1,500, but is now numbered among the substantial citizens of Taylorville. In addition to his other property he owns a one hun- dred and sixty acre farm in May Township, north of Willey Station, which is rented.
In 1892 Mr. Yockey erected a neat residence in Taylorville at a cost of $2,500, and since the 1st
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of January, 1893, has made his home in this city, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. In politics, he is a supporter of Democratic principles, takes an active interest in the success of his party, and has been called upon to fill various township offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidel- ity. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and he served the congrega- tion at Grove City as Trustee.
OSEPH DAWSON, a retired farmer, now living in Taylorville, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born in Tuseara was County, Ohio, September 14, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Orpha (Buffington) Dawson. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, and their marriage was celebrated in that State. Removing to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, they there spent the remainder of their lives.
Our subject is the youngest in a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years, while four are now living. Ile was a lad of only four summers when his parents located upon the old homestead farm, where their last days were spent. Hle aided in the labors of the field and attended the public schools until seventeen years of age, after which he served an apprenticeship of two years and a-half to the black- smith trade in Uhrichsville. The first year he re- ceived $35, the second $50, and $125 for the last six months. After his term had expired he con- tinued to work for his employer, Andrew Brisbane, who is now a Justice of the Peace at Pana.
On the 12th of March, 1846, in Uhrichsville, Mr. Dawson wedded Lucinda Treakle. Hle then formed a partnership and opened a shop. Hle had only $65 in cash and went in debt $75 for his tools. There he remained for eight years, carry- ing on business with fair suecess. On the 25th of September, 1854, he started from his Ohio home to Illinois by team, and at length arrived in
Taylorville. 1Ie settled on the Buckeye Prairie, but in the spring of 1855 removed to John- son Township, where be rented land for three years, operating it in the summer months and working at his trade in town during the winter. When he had obtained a sufficient capital, he pur- chased eighty acres of partially improved land in Johnson Township, three and a-half miles south- east of Taylorville, and also a tract of raw land of eighty acres. Previously he had traded a horse for forty acres near Rosemond, and subsequently bought another forty-acre tract. Mr. Dawson continued to carry on agricultural pursuits in Johnson Township until September, 1890, and made of his place a finely improved farm, one of the best in the county. It sold for $50 cash per acre. In connection with the raising of crops, he engaged in breeding and raising fine hogs, and was quite successful in the undertaking. On account of rheumatism that crippled one arm, Mr. Dawson was forced to lay aside business cares, and in 1890 he removed to Taylorville.
In 1878, our subjeet was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 14th of Sep- tember, his fifty-fifth birthday. She had proved a faithful companion and helpmate to him for thirty-two years. Unto them were born the follow- ing children: Sarah Emeline, who died at the age of eighteen; John F., a farmer and stock-dealer of Missouri; Amanda A., wife of Samuel Denton, of Taylorville; Alice A., wife of John Robinson, of Kansas; William A., a carpenter of Missouri; Cynna A., wife of Ed II. Hopson, of Texas; Laura B., at home; Julia A., widow of Adam J. Aufrecht; and llenry, who died at the age of three years. Julia was married May 13, 1891, to Adam Auf- recht, who for three years had been employed as motorman on the St. Louis Street Railway. Shortly after his marriage he was stricken with typhoid fever, and died at the home of Mr. Dawson August 22, 1801. Ilis widow has sinee lived with her father. Four years before her marriage she engaged in teaching, and recently she has taken a course of study in the business college of Spring- field.
Since coming to Taylorville, Mr. Dawson has purchased a number of residences, which he rents,
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and thus a good income is afforded him. His own home is a pleasant dwelling on Franklin Street. He has led a busy and useful life, and his industry and perseverance have gained for him a comfort- able competence, which is well deserved.
G EORGE WALTON, M. D., is a physician and surgeon of Clarksdale, Christian Coun- ty, where he has been engaged in practice for nearly twenty years. Ilis patients do not come merely from the town, but are scattered throughout the neighboring country. Ile is de- scended from an old North Carolina family, his birth having occurred near Morganton, that State, January 22, 1849. ITis parents, Thomas G. and Eliza (Murphy) Walton, were also natives of North Carolina. The father was a son of Thomas Wal- ton, whose birth occurred in the Old Dominion. When very young he removed to North Carolina, and was the first merchant and Postmaster in Mor- ganton. Ile reared a large family, and died at the age of seventy-nine years. Our subject's ma- ternal grandfather attained the age of about sixty years.
Thomas G. Walton, who is still living near Mor- ganton, is a farmer and politician of local promi- nence. Ile was a soldier during the late war in the Confederate army, and for a time was Captain of an independent company. He did not, how- ever, serve until the close of the conflict, but was retired on account of his age. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, as was also Ins wife, who died in 1881. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. All but three of the family are still living. They are as follows: Edward S .; James T .; George; Herbert Il .; Margaret T., wife of C. F. Kesson. of Morganton; Lucy W., wife of Rev. Nielson Falls, of Washing- ton, D. C .; Martha M., now Mrs. C. S. Smith, of Morganton; and Florence L., wife of John II. Pierson. also of the same place.
Dr. Walton grew to mature years in his native
town and received a superior education at David- son College, Mecklenburgh County, N. C. He at- tended the New York University afterward, and was graduated from the medical department in the Class of '73. He began the practice of his profession at once in the eastern part of his native State, being for one year located in the village of Stantonsburg. Believing that the West afforded better opportunities for a young professional man, he removed to Illinois in February, 1875, since which time he has been situated in Clarksdale, where he has built up a large and remunerative practice. Ile owns a good home property and a store building in this village, and is one of her public-spirited citizens.
On the 26th of September, 1876, the Doctor was united in marriage with Mrs. Annie Johnson, widow of James Johnson, and a daughter of Jolin and Teresa Shehan. Three children have come to bless their home: Loretta, who died in infaney; Thomas George and Ellen Teresa. Mrs. Walton is a member of the Catholic Church, is a lady of good education, and presides over her husband's home with genial grace and hospitality.
In his social relations, the Doctor is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile ad- heres to the principles of the Democratic party and supports its candidates with his ballot. For two terms he held the otlice of Justice of the Peace, making an efficient and trustworthy officer.
ILLIAM EDGAR MORRISON is a promi- nent attorney of Morrisonville and comes from a pioneer family of this State. His grandfather, Robert Morrison, came West about 1792, settling in Kaskaskia, Ill., where he became a leader in commercial enterprises and one of the influential men of the times. Our subject's fa- ther, James L. D. Morrison, was born in Kaskaskia, April 12, 1818. 1Ie was also a lawyer, and was actively engaged in practice at Belleville, Ill., and St. Louis for many years, his specialty being real-
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estate titles. Ile was a prominent man and was one of the principal supporters of Stephen A. Douglas in the West, but after the defeat of that statesman for the Presidency in 1860, he aban- doned his political eareer.
During the Mexican War, the father of our sub- jeet was a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment, and was in command of the regiment at Buena Vista. His serviees were fittingly reeog- nized on his return from the war by the Legisla- ture of Illinois, which presented him with a sword suitably inscribed. He succeeded Lyman Trum- bull as a member of Congress when the latter was eleeted to the Senate, and was afterward elected to fill the full term. On returning from Mexico, he devoted his attention to his law practice and in- vestment in lands.
In 1842, James L. D. Morrison wedded Miss Mary A., daughter of Ex-Governor Thomas A. Carlin. The lady was also a native of Illinois, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, namely: J. L. D., William Edgar, Eugene M., Guy R. and Mary E. Only two of the number are now living, our subject and his sister, who is the wife of Joseph P. Carr, of St. Louis. The parents were devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church. The father died in St. Louis, August 17, 1888, and his wife passed away many years before, on the 11th of September, 1855. Ex- Governor Thomas A. Carlin, our subject's maternal grandfather, entered land in Christian County in 1852. The Wabash Railroad Company named the village of Morrisonville in honor of the father of our subject.
The boyhood of our subjeet was mainly spent at Belleville, and his education was chiefly ob- tained at the Christian Brothers' College in St. Louis. Ile was only sixteen years old when, in 1862, he entered the United States navy as a mid- shipman, his first service being on board the good ship "Constitution." Ile was on the sea for about two years, when, at the request of his father, who wished him to enter the legal profession, he re- signed from the navy, February 16, 1866. Return- ing to Belleville, he entered the law office of Judge William II. Snyder, now deceased, At the end of two years he was examined by a committee
appointed by the Supreme Court, who pronouneed him qualified for the praetiee of the legal profes- sion. As he was then less than twenty-one years of age, he could not be admitted to the Bar ac- cording to the law, and was therefore given the oath on his twenty-first birthday, April 13, 1867. The sueeeeding fall he embarked in practice at Springfield in the office of Stuart, Edwards & Brown, and afterward in that of MeLernand, Broadwell & Springer. He remained in Spring- field until May, 1871.
Mr. Morrison has always taken an active inter- est in politics, and from boyhood has been a staneh advocate of the Democratie party. During the campaign of 1868, in which Seymour was the Dem- ocratie candidate for President in opposition to Grant, he made the canvass of seven counties in this State at the request of the State Central Com- mittee. He inherited a talent for oratory, and bis speeches have always been received with favor. In this part of the State Mr. Morrison has been very influential in shaping the poliey of his party. In 1876 he received the Democratic nomination for Representative to the Legislature, and was eleeted by a majority of several hundred votes in excess of that received by the general ticket. On taking his seat he was, with one excep- tion, the youngest man in the House. He was placed on the Committee on Railroads, and took an active part in the work of that session. The resolution for the appropriation of 850,000 for the completion of the Douglas monument was introduced in 1877, and his speech in favor of its acceptance, and in answer to the bitter speech of Mr. Merritt, was greeted with tremendous ap- plause, and was afterward eoneeded to be one of the finest oratorical efforts ever made in the House.
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